In just one week, Maria Bradshaw (mother of Toran Henry), Zoe Gilbert (sister of Finn Higgins), and the office of the Coronor have all received the same answer from Mental Health Services regarding the absence of adequate care of their loved ones, essentially “It was not our fault – no error on our part was made”.
This is the embedded mantra of NZ Mental Health Services.
Not only does the service never, ever admit liability, but the service also believes that any intervention they undertake with a client is an appropriate intervention, regardless of the outcome for the client. Arrogance, hubris, and delusions of grandeur come to mind (sorry, who are the sick ones here?).
Mental health services in NZ has become a dangerous and ultimately unaccountable “quango”, when even a Coronors Hearing cannot get a straight answer from the Clinical Director of Waitemata District Health Board Mental Health & Addiction Service Murray Patton regards liability over the Toran Henry case- Pattons stock standard response when his service is in the firing line seems to always default to Seargent Schultz’ of Hogan’s Heroes fame “I know nothink!”
Another story for the archives of shame for NZ Mental health services:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10624594
